The group arrived Sunday morning, raising the flag from the back of a pickup truck in South Carolina

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Updated: 12:47 AM EDT Mar 20, 2017

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WEBVTT THIS CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG.SEEN FOR SEVERAL HOURS BLOWINGIN THE WIND.COREY: NEXT TO THE BON SECOURSWELLNESS AREA IN GREENVILLE.>> I FELT LIKE SOMEONE HADPUNCHED ME IN THE GUT.SURPRISING TO SOME FANS IN TOWNFOR THE NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALLTOURNAMENT.>> IT'S VERY DISTURBING WHATTHAT FLAG REPRESENTS AND ITHOUGHT IN SOUTH CAROLINA WEWERE PAST THAT NOW. VISIBLE FROMMILES AWAY THE FLAG WENT UP AT9:30 SUNDAY MORNIN>> I THINK IT'S VERYDISHEARTENING.I DON'T NEVER WANT TO GIVE ITVOICE AND I BELIEVE IN PEOPLEPROTECTING THEIR HERITAGE BUT IBELIEVE IN PEOPLE COMINGTOGETHER.WE HAVE ENOUGH GAPS, SO WE WANTTO TRY TO BRIDGE THE GAP WITHLOVE. THE FLAG WAS MOUNTED ON APOLE ANCHORED IN THE BED OF THISPICK UP TRUCK.>> WE TRY TO TAKE CARE OFCONFEDERATE FLAGS, MONUMENTS,MEMORIES, HISTORY, THINGS LIKETHAT. MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHCAROLINA SECESSIONIST PARTY GAVETWO REASONS FOR DISPLAYING THEFLAG.>> THE NCAA WAS BOYCOTTING SOUTHCAROLINA UNTIL THE FLAG CAMEDOWN AT THE STATEHOUSE, SO WEWANT TO MAKE SURE THEY GET ACHANCE TO SEE OUR FLAG WHILETHEY'RE IN OUR STATE. THE NCAALIFTED THE BOYCOTT IN 20-15AFTER THE CONFEDERATE FLAG WASREMOVED FROM STATE HOUSEGROUNDS.COREY: THE GROUP SAYS THEY'LLDISPLAY THE FLAG AT POPULAREVENTS ACROSS THE STATE UNTILTHE ONE REMOVED FROM THE STATEHOUSE IS PUT IN A MUSEUM.>> IT'S A PIECE OF OUR HERITAGE.25,000 SOUTH CAROLINIANS DIED INDEFENSE OF THAT FLAG, AND250,000 SOUTHERNERS. GREENVILLEPOLICE CHIEF KEN MILLER MADE THEGROUP MOVE THE FLAG FROM THEEDGE OF THE GARAGE FOR SAFETYCONCERNS AND SAYS THEY WEREN'T BREAKINGANY LAWS.>> IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT OURBELIEF SYSTEM IS PERSONALLY.WHAT THE LAW IS, IS PRETTYCLEAR.MY CONCERN IS A PUBLIC SAFETYPERSPECTIV>> ME, SO YOU'LL FLY WHETHER ITOFFENDS SOME PEOPLE OF NOT?

Protesters wave Confederate flag next to NCAA arena

The group arrived Sunday morning, raising the flag from the back of a pickup truck in South Carolina

The NCAA released a statement Sunday after members of the South Carolina Secessionist Party flew a large Confederate battle flag next to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville.

The display happened as the NCAA held the final day of the first and second rounds of the men's college basketball tournament in the arena.

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The flag was mounted on a pole that was several feet long, anchored in the bed of a pick-up truck that was parked on the top level of a city garage next to the arena.

"I felt like someone had punched me in the gut," said Amy Stromberg, a fan visiting from out of town. "It's very disturbing what that flag represents and I thought in South Carolina we were past that now."

The flag could be seen from miles away.

The Secessionist Party put the flag up around 9:30 a.m. Sunday, and by 6 p.m. it was taken down.

Members of the group said they wanted the NCAA to be aware of the flag and that they also want to pressure lawmakers to speed up the process of putting the Confederate flag that flew on state house grounds in a relic museum.

"It's a piece of our heritage. 25,000 South Carolinians died in defense of that flag, and 250,000 southerners," said James Bessenger, chairman of the South Carolina Secessionist Party. "The legislature told us they were going to do it. If you say you're going to do something, I expect you to do it."

The NCAA lifted a boycott against South Carolina in 2015 after the Confederate flag was removed from state house grounds that summer.

During the boycott, the NCAA didn't accept bids from any venue in the state to host tournaments until the flag was removed.

Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball released a statement to ESPN Sunday in reaction to the flag being flown in Greenville.

"The NCAA is proud and excited to host championships in the state of South Carolina once again. We are committed to assuring that our events are safe and accessible to all. No symbols that compromise that commitment will be permitted to be displayed on venue property that the tournament controls. Freedom of speech activities on public property in areas surrounding the arena are managed by the city of Greenville and we are supportive of the city's efforts."

"I think it's very disheartening. I don't ever want to give it voice and I believe in people protecting their heritage, but I believe in people coming together," said Calvin Whitmire, a fan attending the basketball games. "We have enough gaps, so we want to try to bridge the gap with love."

Greenville police Chief Ken Miller and several officers spoke with members of the party Sunday morning.

The chief had them move the flag away from the edge due to concerns that the large pole could break and cause injuries below.

"It doesn't matter what our belief system is personally. What the law is, is pretty clear. My concern is a public safety perspective," Miller said.

Miller said the group wasn't breaking any laws by flying the flag. Officers said the group called and asked about a permit and were told they did not need to obtain one.

Miller said his priority is safety for everyone while the event is being held.

The Secessionist Party also flew several flags above parking garages in Charleston, which led to the city passing an ordinance prohibiting flags above certain buildings.